It is SO GOOD TO BE BACK. We know we’re still in this crazy ‘COVID dance’ these days, but the Opening Bash of NYC Beer Week started as a nice hello or two and ended as a true reunion. New York City breweries are killing it in a big way these days, and drinking local in NYC has never been more important. Click on to see some a few old friends that we were so happy to spend a few moments with. Cheers!
Rising from the mess of Omicron, Beer Fests are BACK, baby! In the run-up to the Opening Bash for NYC Beer Week (Saturday February 26th!) we give you this report from the Gun Hill Brewing Barrel Aged fest back in January. Enjoy!
This is it folks: The contest to name the Phantom of the Opera Broadway Brew has entered The Final Round. Time to pick a winner!
We've gotten many excellent suggestions from all of you - thank you for your suggestions - and after discussion with the cast members and brewers, we've narrowed your best down to this list of finalists:
And once again, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Leave us a comment on the website, send us an email at info@thehappyhourguys.com, comment on facebook, or tweet us (@happyhourguys) with your vote.
We'll be in Virginia at Hardywood this weekend creating this beer with cast brewers Ali Ewoldt, Paul Schaefer and Rodney Ingram, and it's going to be truly fantastic. We'll also be announcing the charitable organization that this beer will - forever - be raising money for, soon!
But for now -- let us know your favorite name. And remember, there will be prizes for whoever submitted the winning name (and a random winner chosen from all who vote!)
Flying Dog Brewing was in NYC to celebrate their 25th Anniversary, so we helped them put together a little event at the Hidden Bar at L'Amico NYC. Great Brewery? Check. Genius Brewer? Check. Tasting a whole series of special release #CraftBeers? Check, check, CHECK!
Special thanks to Bev Director Percy Rodriguez at L'Amico, Mary Beth Wood of Harvey PR, and Erin Weston and the whole Flying Dog fam, (along with Squigs and Dane on the lenses!)
Thank Goodness they got our good sides.
Passing the milestone of our 300th episode has been humbling, exciting, and loads of fun; and what better way to continue the party than with a keen look at two East Coast Craft Beer institutions - a visit to The Ginger Man, a classic NYC beer bar that opened its doors in 1996, and a chat with Ale Street News, a Craft Beer periodical (that's newsprint, folks - actual physical newsprint!) that has been in circulation since 1992. Enjoy!
Those of you in reach of NYC are in for it. And by "it" we mean a crazy amount of amazing stuff! NYC Beer Week 2015 runs from Friday, February 20, through Sunday, March 1. That's ten days of beery excitement in the greatest city in the world (and one of the fastest growing craft communities as well)! Check out this promotional video we contributed to the celebration:
Here are direct links to tickets for prime events:
• Opening Bash: Saturday February 21, 1-5pm.
• Brewers Choice: Tuesday February 24, 6-10pm.
• Closing Beer & Brass Brunch: Sunday March 1, Noon-4pm.
The festivities kick off on Friday, February 20, with Opening Tap, a plethora of special and rare beers tapped at participating venues across the city. And there will be events throughout the five boroughs over all ten days: special pourings, tap takeovers, beer brunches, food pairings, and much much more. Check out the website for additional events, and be sure to check in with your NYC local hangouts and favorite NYC breweries for what they will be offering. It'll be a great ten days. Celebrate NYC and craft beer!
As part of Good Beer Month in NYC, we had the good fortune to be a part of this event curated by the one and only Jimmy Carbone. Here are the episodes we had featured, from our visits to Carton Brewing, in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, and Peekskill Brewing in the Hudson Valley:
...and this recap from Jane Van Arsdale at Local Bozo:
"The month of July is considered Good Beer Month and in celebration of all things suds, Anthology Film Archives would host a short but effective Beer Film Festival on Tuesday night, welcoming in local lovers of craft beers for an informative and interactive affordable evening. Curated by Jimmy Carbone, the active owner and proprietor of craft beer haunt Jimmy’s No. 43, dozens of guests were welcomed into the Second Avenue theater and subsequently plied with tasty eats and distinctive beers during the evening’s reception. But not until after having the opportunity to watch some finely crafted beer related short films.
The three hour event would feature roughly seven films- some as brief as commercials for intricately made brews (Sixpoint’s “Dr. Klankenstein” Stein creation and their collaboration with Stumptown Coffee Roasters andMast Brothers Chocolate - “3Beans”) and others, more dynamic looks at local brewers and their brewing processes. Features on the likes of Carton Brewing Company in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey and Peekskill Brewing, courtesy of online beer duo The Happy Hour Guys were particularly informative, enticing viewers to take the short trip to each place. Other clips from Sierra Nevada and promotional pitches for ‘Beer For Beasts’and Rockaway Brewing Company’s canning line and a Beer Nation TV trip to Newburgh Brewing Companyrounded out the hour long run of films.
Following the string of short films, guests were welcome to enjoy an unlimited supply of refreshing beers courtesy of Sixpoint, Rockaway Brewing and 508 Gastrobrewery as well as an array of creamy cheeses, fresh charcuterie and salty pretzels, all washed down with splashes of tasty beer. Rockaway Brewing Company’s “Toasted Summer” was our favorite of the night similar to many of the other attendees that we interacted with during the casual afterparty. The relaxed setting was just the first Beer Film Festival hosted by Carbone and his friends, but it’s almost certain to set the stage for a much larger, grander event in the months to come."
- Jane Van Arsdale
